Dominating the eastern fringe of Burrator reservoir,
Sheeps Tor is one of Dartmoor's most famous and impressive tors. A large
bulky mass of granite, it rises some 1200 feet above sea level. From the
summit of Sheeps Tor, there are fine views over south western Dartmoor and
the reservoir below. Hidden on the southern side there is a small, naturally
formed cave that sits amongst a dense scatter of rocks and boulders. Difficult
to find, even more difficult to enter, this cave goes by several names;
Piskie's Cave, Piskie's Hole, Piskie's Grott, Piskie's House, and Elford's
Cave. For centuries this cave has been a source of many legends and superstitions
and, as the various names suggest, most of these are regarding the Dartmoor
pixies that are supposed to inhabit the cave. Another story concerns Sir
John Elford of Longstone Manor who was supposed to have, during the English
Civil War, concealed himself from Cromwell's troopers in the cave.